JP2007072193A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera capable of efficiently using energy by switching auxiliary light according to photographing environment and radiating it to a subject. <P>SOLUTION: The camera 1 has an AF mode in which the focusing of a photographic lens 11 is performed according to the result of range finding by an AF sensor unit 71, and an MF mode in which the focusing of the photographic lens 11 is performed in response to manual operation. Then, the auxiliary light is radiated from an electronic flash light emitting part 41 toward the subject if the subject is the low-luminance one when performing the focusing operation by the AF sensor unit 71 or the focusing operation by the manual operation. In the camera 1, an LED for AF auxiliary light 48 different from the electronic flash light emitting part 41 can radiate light, and the electronic flash light emitting part 41 radiates the light in the AF mode and the LED for the AF auxiliary light 48 radiates the light in the MF mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly to a camera capable of emitting different types of auxiliary light.

  Usually, in a camera having an automatic distance measuring (autofocus; AF) function, the subject is given under various conditions. Therefore, when the subject is dark, a strobe is continuously emitted as AF auxiliary light. Shooting using such a strobe is advantageous for distant subjects with strong energy.

  On the other hand, many scenes shot with manual focus (MF) are not good at AF. For example, close-up photography (macro photography) is a typical example. In macro photography, the focus position varies greatly due to a slight shift in distance measurement, so AF is not suitable for the photographer's intention. Since MF shooting is performed while confirming with the eyes of the photographer, long-time irradiation is required, and strobe auxiliary light is unsuitable. In addition, since the light emitting diode has less energy, it is not suitable for a distant subject, but is advantageous for a close subject.

A video camera for turning on the AF auxiliary light at the time of MF and low luminance is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 below.
JP-A-11-234548

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, a strobe is emitted as AF auxiliary light at the time of MF and low luminance. As described above, since the auxiliary light by the strobe has high energy, there is a problem that a lot of energy is required when continuously emitting light during MF photography.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera that can use energy efficiently by switching auxiliary light according to a shooting environment and irradiating a subject. It is.

  In other words, the invention described in claim 1 includes a first focus adjustment unit that includes a distance measurement unit, and performs focus adjustment of the photographing lens according to a distance measurement result of the distance measurement unit, and a manual operation member. A second focus adjusting means for adjusting the focus of the photographing lens in response to the operation of the member, and a focus adjusting operation by the first focus adjusting means, or a focus adjusting operation by the second focus adjusting means; An auxiliary light means for irradiating auxiliary light toward the subject if the subject has low brightness, the auxiliary light means can irradiate different types of first and second auxiliary lights The first auxiliary light is emitted during the focus adjustment operation by the first focus adjustment means, and the second auxiliary light is emitted during the focus adjustment operation by the second focus adjustment means. It is characterized by.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the first auxiliary light is irradiated in conjunction with the distance measuring means, and the second auxiliary light is the second focal point. During the focus adjustment operation by the adjusting means, the light is continuously irradiated.

  The invention described in claim 3 is the invention described in claim 2, wherein the second auxiliary light is visible light.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the first auxiliary light is emitted from a strobe, and the second auxiliary light is emitted from a lamp or a light emitting diode. To do.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a distance measuring unit capable of measuring a subject by adjusting a focus of the photographing lens, and irradiating auxiliary light toward the subject when the subject has a low brightness at the time of focus adjustment. And a second focus adjustment mode for adjusting the focus of the photographic lens by manual operation, and a first focus adjustment mode for measuring the distance of the subject using the distance measurement means. The auxiliary light means has a first auxiliary light means for irradiating a first auxiliary light, and a second auxiliary light for irradiating a second auxiliary light of a different type from the first auxiliary light. An auxiliary light unit, and when the focus adjustment operation is performed in the first focus adjustment mode, the first auxiliary light is emitted from the first auxiliary light unit, and the focus adjustment operation is performed in the second focus adjustment mode. Irradiating the second auxiliary light by the second auxiliary light means And features.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the first auxiliary light from the first auxiliary light means is irradiated in conjunction with the distance measuring means, and the second auxiliary light is emitted. The second auxiliary light by the light means is continuously emitted during the focus adjustment operation in the second focus adjustment mode.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 6, wherein the second auxiliary light by the second auxiliary light means is visible light.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein the first auxiliary light means is constituted by a strobe light emitting portion, and the second auxiliary light means is constituted by a lamp or a light emitting diode. It is characterized by that.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein the first auxiliary light means is constituted by an infrared light emitting diode, and the second auxiliary light means is constituted by a lamp or a light emitting diode. It is characterized by being.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a distance measuring unit capable of measuring a subject by adjusting a focus of the photographing lens, a determination unit for determining whether or not the subject has low brightness at the time of focus adjustment, and the subject. An auxiliary light means for irradiating auxiliary light toward the camera and a control means for irradiating the auxiliary light means toward the subject when the determination means determines that the luminance is low. The camera has a first focus adjustment mode for measuring the distance of the subject by the distance measuring means, and a second focus adjustment mode for adjusting the focus of the photographing lens by manual operation, and the auxiliary light. The means includes first auxiliary light means for irradiating first auxiliary light, and second auxiliary light means for irradiating second auxiliary light of a different type from the first auxiliary light. And means for adjusting the focus in the first focus adjustment mode. The first auxiliary light means emits the first auxiliary light, and the second auxiliary light means emits the second auxiliary light during the focus adjustment operation in the second focus adjustment mode. It is characterized by controlling.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to claim 10, wherein the control means irradiates the first auxiliary light by the first auxiliary light means in conjunction with the distance measuring means, The second auxiliary light by the second auxiliary light means is continuously emitted during the focus adjustment operation in the second focus adjustment mode.

  The invention described in claim 12 is the invention described in claim 11, characterized in that the second auxiliary light by the second auxiliary light means is visible light.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the first auxiliary light means includes a strobe light emitting unit, and the second auxiliary light means is any one of a lamp and a light emitting diode. It is characterized by being constructed on the other hand.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the first auxiliary light means is an infrared light emitting diode, and the second auxiliary light means is a lamp or a light emitting diode. On the other hand, it is composed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the camera which can use energy efficiently can be provided by switching a supplementary light according to imaging | photography environment and irradiating a to-be-photographed object.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIGS. 1 to 3 show an external configuration of a single-lens reflex digital camera according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the camera in a state in which a strobe light emitting unit is housed as viewed from the rear right side, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the camera with the strobe light emitting unit popped up as viewed from the left rear, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the camera with the strobe light emitting unit popped up.

  This single-lens reflex digital camera (hereinafter abbreviated as camera) 1 is mainly composed of a lens barrel 10 as an interchangeable lens and a camera body 20. A desired lens barrel 10 is detachably set on the front surface of the camera body 20. Further, an AF auxiliary light LED window 42 for an AF auxiliary light LED (LED) 48 described later is provided on the front surface of the camera body 20 and in the vicinity of a strobe light emitting unit 40 described in detail later.

  On the upper surface of the camera body 20, a release button 21, a mode dial 22, a power switch lever 23, a control dial 24, and a strobe light emitting unit 40 described later are provided.

  The release button 21 is a button for executing a shooting preparation operation and an exposure operation. The release button 21 is composed of a two-stage switch of a first release switch and a second release switch. When the release button 21 is pressed halfway, the first release switch is turned on to perform photometric processing or Shooting preparation operations such as distance measurement processing are executed. Further, when the release button 21 is fully pressed, the second release switch is turned on and the exposure operation is executed.

  The mode dial 22 is a manual operation member for setting a shooting mode at the time of shooting. When the mode dial 22 is rotated in a predetermined direction, a shooting mode at the time of shooting is set. The power switch lever 23 is an operation member for turning on / off the power of the camera 1. By turning the power switch lever 23, the main power supply of the camera 1 is switched on / off.

  The control dial 24 is a member for setting shooting information. By operating the control dial 24, various settings are performed during shooting.

  On the back surface of the body unit 20, a liquid crystal monitor 26 that constitutes display means for displaying captured images, menus, and the like, a playback button 27, a menu button 28, a cross key 30, an OK button 31, and an eyepiece An optical system finder 33, a pop-up button 34, and the like are arranged.

  The playback button 27 is a button for switching the operation mode of the camera 1 to a playback mode in which an image can be played back from a JPEG file recorded on an SDRAM 62 or a recording medium 63 described later. The menu button 28 is a button for displaying a menu screen on the liquid crystal monitor 26. This menu screen is composed of menu items having a plurality of hierarchical structures. The user can select a desired menu item with the cross key 30 and can determine the item selected with the OK button 31. For example, an autofocus (AF) mode, which is a first focus adjustment mode for driving the photographing lens according to an output of an AF sensor unit 71 described later, and a second for driving the photographing lens according to a manual operation of the photographer. This menu item also includes switching of the manual focus (MF) mode, which is a focus adjustment mode.

  Further, when the pop-up button 34 is pressed, the strobe light emitting unit 40 normally stored as shown in FIG. 1 is popped up as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 when used. Is provided.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the finder optical system of the camera in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The finder optical system 50 is a plurality of mirrors for guiding the light beam from the subject that has passed through the photographing lens 11 in the lens barrel to the eyepiece lens 57 constituting the finder 33, that is, a first reflection that is an optical element. A mirror 51, a second reflection mirror 52, a third reflection mirror 53, a fourth reflection mirror 54, a focusing screen 56, and an eyepiece lens 57 are configured.

  The first reflecting mirror 51 is configured to be rotatable about the shaft 51a in the direction of the arrow A, and a part of the first reflecting mirror 51 is configured as a half mirror for an AF sensor not shown. As shown in the figure, the first reflecting mirror 51 observes the light beam incident from the photographing lens 11 in the direction of the second reflecting mirror 52, which is an angle of about 90 ° with respect to the optical axis of the photographing lens 11, as shown in the figure. Reflected rightward when viewed from the lens barrel 10 side of the camera body 20. At the time of imaging, the light beam is retracted from the imaging optical path and operates so that the light flux from the subject is guided to an imaging element (not shown) disposed behind the first reflection mirror 51.

  The light beam reflected by the reflecting surface of the first reflecting mirror 51 enters the second reflecting mirror 52 through the focusing screen 56. The second reflection mirror 52 is disposed on the reflection optical axis from the first reflection mirror 51, and the reflection surface is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the reflection optical axis of the first reflection mirror 51. Yes. The reflected light beam from the first reflecting mirror 51 incident on the second reflecting mirror 52 is reflected at an angle of approximately 90 ° with respect to the reflected optical axis from the first reflecting mirror 51, that is, upward of the camera body 20. Is done.

  The light beam reflected by the reflecting surface of the second reflecting mirror 52 is on the reflecting optical axis of the reflecting surface of the second reflecting mirror 52, and the reflecting surface is predetermined with respect to the reflecting optical axis of the second reflecting surface. It is incident on the third reflecting mirror 53 that is inclined at an angle of. The reflected light beam from the second reflecting mirror 52 incident on the third reflecting mirror 53 is approximately 90 ° with respect to the reflected optical axis from the reflecting surface of the second reflecting mirror 52 at the reflecting surface of the third reflecting mirror 53. And is reflected in a direction opposite to the reflection direction by the reflection surface of the first reflection mirror 51. That is, the reflected light beam from the reflecting surface of the second reflecting mirror 52 is reflected toward the left direction of the camera body 20 by the reflecting surface of the third reflecting mirror 53. In other words, the light beam reflected by the reflecting surface of the first reflecting mirror 51 is guided by the second and third reflecting mirrors 52 and 53 so that the reflected optical axis of the reflecting surface of the third reflecting mirror 53 is The first reflection mirror 51 is directed to the fourth reflection mirror 54 substantially parallel to the reflection optical axis of the reflection surface.

  The light beam reflected by the reflecting surface of the third reflecting mirror 53 is on the reflecting optical axis of the reflecting surface of the third reflecting mirror 53, and the reflecting surface is the reflected light of the reflecting surface of the third reflecting mirror 53. The light is incident on a fourth reflecting mirror 54 that is disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the axis. Then, the reflected light beam from the third reflection mirror 53 incident on the fourth reflection mirror 54 is approximately 90 ° with respect to the reflection optical axis from the third reflection mirror 53 on the reflection surface of the fourth reflection mirror 54. Reflected at an angle of. That is, the reflected light beam from the reflecting surface of the third reflecting mirror 53 enters the eyepiece lens 57 disposed on the reflecting optical axis of the reflecting surface of the fourth reflecting mirror 54.

  The focusing screen 56 has a diffusing surface for diffusing the light beam incident on the finder optical system 50 described above to form an optical image. Are arranged at optically equivalent positions.

  The second reflection mirror 52 and the fourth reflection mirror 54 are half mirrors. A photometric sensor 63 that measures the brightness of the subject is disposed on the back side of the reflecting surface of the second reflecting mirror 52. On the other hand, an imaging lens 60 and a display image sensor 61 are disposed on the back side of the reflection surface of the fourth reflection mirror 54. The display image sensor 61 is for forming an image on the focusing screen 56 through the imaging lens 60. Therefore, although the image formed on the display image sensor 61 is inverted, it is the same as the image seen by the photographer's eyes 58.

  In this way, the subject luminous flux from the photographing lens 11 is inverted by the first to fourth reflection mirrors 51 to 54 described above so that the image becomes an erect image and guided to the eyepiece lens 57. Thereby, the subject image formed on the focusing screen 56 by the photographer's eye 58 can be observed through the eyepiece lens 57 (finder 33).

  In the present embodiment, the first reflecting mirror 51, the second reflecting mirror 52, the third reflecting mirror 53, and the fourth reflecting mirror 54 are arranged so as to reflect at an angle of about 90 ° with respect to the incident light beam. However, it is not limited to this.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 5, the lens barrel 10 can be detachably mounted via a lens mount (not shown) provided on the front surface of the camera body 20. The lens barrel 10 includes a photographic lens 11, a diaphragm 12, a lens driving mechanism 13, a diaphragm driving mechanism 14, and a lens control microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as Lμcom) 15. .

  The photographing lens 11 is driven in the optical axis direction by a DC motor (not shown) existing in the lens driving mechanism 13. The diaphragm 12 is driven by a stepping motor (not shown) existing in the diaphragm driving mechanism 14. The Lμcom 15 drives and controls each part in the lens barrel 10 such as the lens driving mechanism 13 and the aperture driving mechanism 14. The Lμcom 15 is electrically connected to a body control microcomputer 80, which will be described later, via a communication connector 95, and is controlled in accordance with a command from the body control microcomputer 80.

  On the other hand, the camera body 20 is configured as follows.

  A light beam from a subject (not shown) that is incident through the photographing lens 11 and the diaphragm 12 in the lens barrel 10 is reflected by a first reflecting mirror 51 that is a movable mirror, and then a focusing screen 56 and the first reflecting mirror 51. At the same time, the eyepiece lens 57 is reached via the second to fourth reflecting mirrors 52 to 54 (see FIG. 4) constituting the finder optical system 50. In addition, a part of the subject light flux that has passed through the half mirror portion of the first reflecting mirror 51 is reflected by the AF movable mirror 70 that operates independently of the first reflecting mirror 51 to perform automatic ranging. To the AF sensor unit 71 which is the first focus adjusting means. In FIG. 5, the first reflecting mirror 51 is shown separately. However, the finder optical system 50 is configured together with the second to fourth reflecting mirrors and the like.

  Behind the first reflecting mirror 51 on the optical axis is a focal plane shutter 66 and a photoelectric conversion element of an imaging optical system for photoelectrically converting a subject image that has passed through the optical system, and is composed of a CCD or the like. An imaging element 67 for photographing is provided. That is, when the first reflecting mirror 51 is retracted from the imaging optical path, the light flux that has passed through the imaging lens 11 and the aperture 12 is imaged on the imaging surface of the imaging element 67 for imaging.

  The display image sensor 61 and the image sensor 67 are connected via an interface circuit 81 to an image processing controller 82 for performing image processing. The image processing controller 82 is connected to the liquid crystal monitor 26 described above, the SDRAM 83, the flash memory 84, the recording medium 85, and the like provided as storage areas. These are configured to provide an electronic recording display function together with an electronic imaging function.

  The recording medium 85 is an external recording medium such as various memory cards and an external hard disk drive (HDD) that can be attached to and detached from the camera body 20 via a camera interface (not shown).

  The image processing controller 82 includes a photometry circuit 87 including a photometry sensor 63, an AF sensor drive circuit 72, a mirror drive mechanism 73, a shutter charge mechanism 75, a shutter control circuit 76, and a nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) 88. These are connected to a body control microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as Bμcom) 801 as control means and determination means for controlling each part in the camera body 20.

  Also connected to the Bμcom 95 is an operation display LCD 90 for notifying the photographer of the operation state of the camera by a display output, a camera operation switch (SW) 91, and a battery 93 via a power circuit 92. ing.

  The Bμcom 80 and the Lμcom 15 are electrically connected via the communication connector 95 when the lens barrel 10 is mounted. As a digital camera, Lμcom 15 operates in cooperation with Bμcom 80 in a dependent manner.

  The AF sensor driving circuit 72 is a circuit for driving and controlling the AF sensor unit 71, and the mirror driving mechanism 73 is a mechanism for driving and controlling the first reflecting mirror 51. The shutter charge mechanism 75 charges a spring that drives a front curtain and a rear curtain (not shown) constituting the shutter 66. The shutter control circuit 76 controls the movement of the front curtain and the rear curtain of the shutter 66 and exchanges a signal for controlling the opening / closing operation of the shutter with the Bμcom 80. The photometric circuit 87 is a circuit that performs photometric processing based on the electrical signal of the photometric sensor 63 in the vicinity of the second reflecting mirror 52.

  The non-volatile memory 88 is a storage means for storing predetermined control parameters required for camera control as a storage area other than the above-described SDRAM 83, Flash Memory 84, and recording medium 85, and is provided so as to be accessible from the Bμcom 80.

  The operation display LCD 90 is for notifying the user of the operation state of the camera by display output. The camera operation switch 90 serves as switching means, for example, a release switch for instructing execution of a shooting operation and switching the first reflecting mirror 51 in and out of the shooting optical path as described later, a mode change switch for switching between the shooting mode and the image display mode, and It is composed of a switch group including operation buttons necessary for operating the camera, such as a power switch. Further, the power supply circuit 92 is provided for converting the voltage of the battery 93 as a power supply into a voltage required for each circuit unit of the camera system and supplying the voltage.

  Further, a strobe light emitting unit 41 including a flash light emitting tube 43 for irradiating the first auxiliary light and a light emitting capacitor 45 are connected to Bμcom 80 via a charge light emission control circuit 44 and also via a drive circuit 47. An AF auxiliary light LED 48 which is a second auxiliary light means for irradiating the second auxiliary light is connected. The strobe light emitting unit 41 including the flash light emitting tube 43, the charging light emission control circuit 44, and the light emitting capacitor 45 constitute the strobe unit 40 described above as the first auxiliary light means. Since it exists, description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the drive circuit 47 and the AF auxiliary light LED 48. In FIG. 6, a transistor Q1 is connected to the output port of Bμcom80. The AF auxiliary light LED 48 (D1) is connected between the switching transistor Q1 and the transistor Q2 to which the resistor R1 is connected. The transistor Q2 forms a feedback circuit together with the resistor R2 and the operational amplifier U1. The positive input terminal of the operational amplifier U1 is connected to the dividing resistors R3 and R4 connected to the D / A port of the Bμcom80.

  In the drive circuit 47 having such a configuration, the AF auxiliary light LED 48 (D1) can be turned on / off by controlling the D / A port of the Bμcom 80. In this case, the switching transistor Q1 is connected to the output port. By controlling, the AF auxiliary light LED 48 (D1) can be turned on / off. Then, the transistor Q2 is controlled to be equal to the potential divided by the above-described divided resistors R3 and R4, and a current value is set so that the resistor R1 becomes a predetermined potential. As a result, the AF auxiliary light LED 48 (D1) is lit at a predetermined current.

  The AF auxiliary light LED 48 (D1) has a smaller light quantity than the flash light emitting tube 43 of the strobe light emitting unit 41, but can be irradiated for a long time.

  Next, the operation of the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Note that the operation of this camera is mainly performed under the control of Bμcom80.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the basic operation of the camera 1 in the first embodiment.

  When the battery 93 is loaded in the camera body 20, this routine is started. First, in step S1, camera initialization is performed. Next, in step S2, the operating state of the power switch lever 23 is detected. Here, when the power switch lever 23 is operated and the power is turned on, the operation button is detected in the subsequent step S3. When the operation button is detected, a button / mode change process is performed in step S4. Further, in step S5, the subroutine “always ranging” is executed.

  Here, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8, the operation of the subroutine “always ranging” will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the subroutine “always ranging” in step S5 of the flowchart of FIG.

  When entering this subroutine, first, in step S31, integration by the AF sensor in the AF sensor unit 71 is started. If the integration is completed in step S32, the process proceeds to step S33, and the integration time is detected. Thereby, brightness is detected. Next, when the sensor data of the AF sensor is read in step S34, calculation processing is further performed on the sensor data in step S35.

  In step S36, the sensor data is compared with a predetermined value to determine whether the sensor data is low (dark). If the sensor data is not low, the process proceeds to step S37 and the low luminance flag is reset. On the other hand, when the sensor data is low, the process proceeds to step S38 and the low luminance flag is set.

  Next, in step S39, it is determined whether or not the contrast is low as a result of the calculation processing of the sensor data in step S35. If the contrast is not low, the process proceeds to step S40, and a predetermined low contrast flag is reset. On the other hand, if it is determined that the contrast is low, the process proceeds to step S41, and the low contrast flag is set.

  Thereafter, when the defocus amount is calculated in step S42 and the lens driving amount of the lens barrel 10 mounted in step S43 is further calculated, the present subroutine is exited and the steps in the flowchart of FIG. The process proceeds to S6.

  When the subroutine “always ranging” is executed in step S5, photometric processing is performed in the subsequent step S6. Next, in step S7, the exposure information is updated and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 26. In step S8, it is determined whether the current mode is auto focus (AF) or manual focus (MF). If the AF mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S9. If the MF mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S17.

  If it is determined in step S8 that the AF mode is set, it is then determined in step S9 whether or not the first release (1R) switch, which is a half-press operation of the release button 21, is turned on. . Here, if the 1st release switch is not turned on, it will transfer to said step S2 and the subsequent process will be repeated. On the other hand, if the first release switch is turned on, photometric processing is performed in step S10. Next, in step S11, a subroutine “ranging” is executed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the mode is the MF mode, it is then determined in step S17 whether or not the first release (1R) switch that is a half-press operation of the release button 21 is turned on. Is done. If the first release switch is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S18, and the AF auxiliary light LED 48 is turned off. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S2, and the subsequent processing is repeated. If the first release switch is turned on in step S17, photometric processing is performed in step S19. Next, in step S20, a subroutine “ranging” is executed.

  Here, the operation of the subroutine “ranging” will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 and 10.

  FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the subroutine “ranging” in steps S11 and S20 of the flowchart of FIG.

  When this subroutine is entered, first, at step S51, it is determined whether or not the previous integration result was low luminance. If the luminance is low, the process proceeds to step S67 described later, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S52. In step S52, it is determined whether or not the previous integration result was low contrast. If the contrast is low, the process proceeds to step S67, which will be described later. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S53.

  In step S53, integration by the AF sensor in the AF sensor unit 71 is started. If the integration is completed in step S54, the integration time is detected in the subsequent step S55. Further, in step S56, sensor data of the AF sensor is read, and in step S57, calculation processing of the sensor data is performed.

  Next, in step S58, the value of the sensor data calculated in step S57 is determined. Here, if it is determined that the sensor data is low, the process proceeds to step S60, the low luminance flag is set, and then the process proceeds to step S67 described later. On the other hand, if the sensor data is not low, the process proceeds to step S59 and the low luminance flag is reset. Then, in step S61, the contrast is determined this time. If it is determined that the contrast is low, the process proceeds to step S63, the low contrast flag is set, and then the process proceeds to step S67 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S61 that the contrast is high, the process proceeds to step S62, and the low contrast flag is reset.

  In step S64, the defocus amount is calculated. Next, in step S65, it is determined whether the current mode is auto focus (AF) or manual focus (MF). In this case, it is determined depending on whether the subroutine “ranging” in step S11 or the subroutine “ranging” in step S20. Here, in the AF mode, the process proceeds to step S66, and the driving amount of the mounted lens is calculated. Thereafter, the subroutine is exited, and the process proceeds to step S12 in the flowchart of FIG. On the other hand, if the MF mode is in step S65, the process skips step S66 and exits from this subroutine, and proceeds to step S21 in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S67, integration of the AF sensor in the AF sensor unit 71 is started. Next, in step S68, it is determined whether the current mode is auto focus (AF) or manual focus (MF). If the AF mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S69. If the MF mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S71.

  If the AF mode is set in step S68, the AF auxiliary light by intermittent flash emission is turned on in step S69. Then, the processes in steps S69 and S70 are repeated until the integration is completed in step S70. On the other hand, in the case of the MF mode in step S68, the process proceeds to step S71, and the AF auxiliary light by the LED, that is, the AF auxiliary light LED 48 is turned on. This lighting is continued until integration is completed in step S72. That is, the processes of steps S71 and S72 are repeated.

  In step S73, the integration time is detected, and in the subsequent step S74, sensor data is read. Further, in step S75, calculation of sensor data is processed. In step S76, it is determined whether the value of the sensor data is low.

  Here, if the sensor data is low, the process proceeds to step S80, and display indicating that the distance measurement is impossible is made in the liquid crystal monitor 26 or the finder 33. Thereafter, the process exits from this subroutine and proceeds to step S12 or S21 in the flowchart of FIG. If the sensor data is high in step S76, it is determined in step S77 whether auxiliary light emission has been performed. As a result, when the auxiliary light is not emitted, the process proceeds to step S78, and the low luminance flag is reset. On the other hand, if the auxiliary light emission is not performed in step S77, step S78 is skipped.

  In step S79, the contrast of the sensor data is determined. If the contrast is low, the process proceeds to step S80. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S81. In step S81, it is determined whether auxiliary light emission has been performed again. As a result, when the auxiliary light is not emitted, the process proceeds to step S82 and the low contrast flag is reset. On the other hand, if the auxiliary light emission is not performed in step S81, step S82 is skipped.

  Next, in step S83, the defocus amount is calculated, and in step S84, it is determined whether the current mode is auto focus (AF) or manual focus (MF). Here, in the AF mode, the process proceeds to step S85, and when the lens driving amount of the mounted lens barrel 10 is calculated, the present subroutine is exited and the process proceeds to step S12 in the flowchart of FIG. Transition. On the other hand, when the mode is the MF mode in step S84, step S85 is skipped and the present subroutine is exited, and the process proceeds to step S21 in the flowchart of FIG.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 7, when the subroutine “ranging” in step S <b> 11 in the AF mode is executed, it is determined in subsequent step S <b> 12 whether or not the taking lens 11 is in focus. If the in-focus state is obtained, the process proceeds to step S14. If the in-focus state is not achieved, the process proceeds to step S13 to drive the photographic lens 11, and then the process proceeds to step S9. Repeated.

  In step S14, focus display is performed in the liquid crystal monitor 26 or the finder 33. Next, in step S15, the state of the first release switch is determined again. If the first release switch is off, the process proceeds to step S2 and the subsequent processing is repeated. On the other hand, if the first release switch is on, it is determined in the subsequent step S16 whether or not the second release (2R) switch, which is a full pressing operation of the release button 21, has been turned on. As a result, if the second release switch is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S15, and if it is turned on, the process proceeds to step S26.

  On the other hand, when the subroutine “ranging” in step S20 which is the MF mode is executed, it is determined in subsequent step S21 whether or not the taking lens 11 is in focus. Here, if the in-focus state is obtained, the process proceeds to step S22, and a display to the effect that the in-focus state is obtained is displayed in the liquid crystal monitor 26 or the finder 33. On the other hand, if the in-focus state is not yet reached in step S21, the process proceeds to step S23 and the in-focus display is turned off. In step S24, it is determined whether or not the second release (2R) switch, which is a full pressing operation of the release button 21, is turned on. As a result, if the second release switch is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S17 and the subsequent processing is repeated. On the other hand, if the second release switch is on, the process proceeds to step S25, and the AF auxiliary light LED 48 is turned off. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S26.

  Next, in step S <b> 26, exposure / imaging processing is performed by the imaging imaging element 67. Next, in step S27, image information is read from the imaging element 67 for photographing. In step S28, the image processing controller 82 or the like performs image processing. Further, in step S29, the image data processed in step S28 is recorded on the recording medium 85 or the like. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S2, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, energy can be efficiently used by switching the auxiliary light according to the auto focus and the manual focus and irradiating the subject.

  Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described.

  In the first embodiment described above, the LED is lit as AF auxiliary light in the MF mode, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a visible light lamp may be used.

  FIG. 11 is a circuit configuration diagram of a driving circuit and its surroundings when the AF auxiliary light at the time of MF is changed from an LED to a visible light lamp in the first embodiment described above.

  In FIG. 11, LEDD1 in the circuit configuration diagram of FIG. 6 is replaced with a visible light lamp L1, and the switching transistor Q1 is omitted. The other operational amplifier U1, transistor Q2, and resistors R1 to R4 are the same as the circuit configuration of FIG. In this case, the visible light lamp L1 is turned on / off by controlling the D / A port of the Bμcom 80 because it does not have the switching transistor Q1. The other operations are the same as those of the circuit shown in FIG. Thereby, the visible light lamp L1 is turned on with a predetermined current.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the first embodiment described above, a strobe is used for the AF auxiliary light in the AF mode, whereas in the second embodiment, an infrared LED is used, and a visible light LED is used for the AF auxiliary light in the MF mode. Is used.

  Note that the configuration and basic operation of the camera in the second embodiment are the same as the configuration and operation of the camera of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. Are denoted by the same reference numerals, illustration and description thereof are omitted, and only different portions will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a circuit configuration diagram of a driving circuit and its periphery when the AF auxiliary light is changed from an LED to a visible light lamp in the first embodiment described above.

  In FIG. 12, infrared LEDD2 and visible light LEDD3 are connected between switching transistors Q3 and Q4 and transistor Q2, respectively. The switching transistor Q3 is connected to the output port 1 of the Bμcom 80, and the switching transistor Q4 is connected to the output port 2 of the Bμcom 80. The other operational amplifier U1, transistor Q2, and resistors R1 to R4 are the same as the circuit configuration of FIG.

  In such a configuration, in the AF mode, the output port 1 of the Bμcom 80 is turned on, the switching transistor Q3 is turned on, and the infrared LED D2 is turned on. On the other hand, in the MF mode, the output port 2 of the Bμcom 80 is turned on, the switching transistor Q4 is turned on, and the visible light LEDD3 is turned on. Thereby, infrared LEDD2 and visible light LEDD3 are each lighted by predetermined current.

  Next, referring to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, among the basic operations of the camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the subroutine “ranging” in step S11 or S20 of the flowchart of FIG. 7 described above. Will be described.

  In the flowcharts of FIGS. 13 and 14, the operations of steps S91 to S108 and steps S110 and S112 to S125 are the same as steps S51 to S68 and steps S70 and S72 of the flowcharts of FIGS. Since it is the same as S85, description thereof will be omitted with reference to corresponding step numbers.

  In step S108, it is determined whether the current mode is auto focus (AF) or manual focus (MF). If the AF mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S109. If the MF mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S111.

  If the AF mode is set in step S108, the AF auxiliary light from the infrared LED D2 is turned on in step S109. Then, the processes in steps S109 and S110 are repeated until integration is completed in step S110. On the other hand, in the case of the MF mode in step S108, the process proceeds to step S111 and the AF auxiliary light by the visible light LED D3 is turned on. This lighting is continued until integration is completed in step S112. That is, the processes of steps S111 and S112 are repeated.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the infrared LED is used for the AF auxiliary light in the AF mode, and the visible light LED is used for the AF auxiliary light in the MF mode. can do.

  In the above-described example, the visible light LED is used in the MF mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a visible light lamp may be used as in the modification of the first embodiment. It is.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the third embodiment, an example in which a slave strobe is used will be described.

  In addition, about the structure and basic operation | movement of a camera in 2nd Embodiment, the camera of 1st Embodiment shown by FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 11 and the camera of 2nd Embodiment shown by FIG. 12 thru | or FIG. Therefore, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts, illustration and description thereof are omitted, and only different parts will be described.

  When a slave strobe is used, the slave strobe emits light according to the main light emission of the strobe light emitting unit 41 built in the camera. Therefore, every time the strobe light emitting unit 41 emits light as AF auxiliary light, the slave strobe emits light each time. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the specification of the slave strobe can be set from the menu screen in the “button / mode change process” in step S4 of the main routine. In this case, on the slave strobe side, the presence / absence and number of pre-flashes for dimming can be set for the strobe light emitting unit 41 built in the camera.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, among the basic operations of the camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the subroutine “ranging” in step S11 or S20 in the flowchart of FIG. 7 described above. Will be described.

  In the flowcharts of FIGS. 13 and 14, the operations of steps S131 to S148 and steps S152 and S154 to S168 are the same as steps S51 to S68 and steps S70 and S71 of the flowcharts of FIGS. Since it is the same as S85, description thereof will be omitted with reference to corresponding step numbers.

  In step S148, it is determined whether the current mode is auto focus (AF) or manual focus (MF). If the AF mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S149. If the MF mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S154.

  In step S149, it is determined whether the slave strobe is used. As a result, when the slave strobe is used, the process proceeds to step S150, and the AF auxiliary light from the AF auxiliary light LED 48 is turned on. On the other hand, when the slave strobe is not used, the process proceeds to step S151 and the AF auxiliary light by the intermittent light emission of the strobe light emitting unit 41 is turned on. Then, the processing of steps S149 to S152 described above is repeated until integration is completed in step S152. Thereafter, in step S153, the AF auxiliary light by the AF auxiliary light LED 48 is turned off.

  On the other hand, in the case of the MF mode in step S148, the process proceeds to step S154, and the AF auxiliary light by the LED, that is, the AF auxiliary light LED 48 is turned on. This lighting is continued until integration is completed in step S155. That is, the processes of steps S154 and S155 are repeated.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, when the slave strobe is used, since the AF auxiliary light LED is used as in the MF mode, energy can be used efficiently.

  In the above-described example, the visible light LED is used when the slave strobe is used in the AF mode and when the MF mode is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a visible light lamp is used as in the modification of the first embodiment. Of course, it may be used.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention other than embodiment mentioned above, this invention can be variously modified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an external configuration of a single-lens reflex digital camera according to the present invention, as viewed from the rear right side in a state where a strobe light emitting unit is housed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an external configuration of a single-lens reflex digital camera according to the present invention, as seen from the rear left side of a camera with a strobe light emitting unit popped up. 1 is a front view of a camera in a state where a strobe light emitting unit is popped up, showing an external configuration of a single-lens reflex type digital camera according to the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the finder optical system of the camera in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the circuit structure of the drive circuit 47 shown by FIG. 5, and LED 48 for AF auxiliary light. It is a flowchart explaining the basic operation | movement of the camera 1 in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a subroutine “always ranging” in step S5 of the flowchart of FIG. 7; 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a subroutine “ranging” in steps S11 and S20 of the flowchart of FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a subroutine “ranging” in steps S11 and S20 of the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 9 shows a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows a drive circuit and its peripheral circuit configuration when the AF auxiliary light during MF is changed from an LED to a visible light lamp in the first embodiment. It is. The 2nd Embodiment of this invention is shown, Comprising: It is a circuit block diagram of the drive circuit at the time of changing AF auxiliary light from LED to the visible light lamp in 1st Embodiment, and its periphery. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of the subroutine "ranging" of step S11 or S20 of the flowchart of FIG. 7 among the basic operations of the camera in the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of the subroutine "ranging" of step S11 or S20 of the flowchart of FIG. 7 among the basic operations of the camera in the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of the subroutine "ranging" of step S11 or S20 of the flowchart of FIG. 7 among the basic operations of the camera in the third embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of the subroutine "ranging" of step S11 or S20 of the flowchart of FIG. 7 among the basic operations of the camera in the third embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Camera, 10 ... Lens barrel, 11 ... Shooting lens, 13 ... Lens drive mechanism, 14 ... Diaphragm drive mechanism, 15 ... Lens control microcomputer (L [mu] com), 20 ... Camera body, 21 ... Release button, 22 ... Mode dial, 26 ... LCD monitor, 33 ... Finder, 34 ... Pop-up button, 40 ... Strobe light emitting unit, 41 ... Strobe light emitting unit, 44 ... Charging light emission control circuit, 47 ... Drive circuit, 48 ... Light emitting diode for AF auxiliary light ( LED), 50 ... finder optical system, 51 ... first reflecting mirror, 52 ... second reflecting mirror, 53 ... third reflecting mirror, 54 ... fourth reflecting mirror, 56 ... focusing screen, 57 ... eyepiece, 60 ... connection Image lens 61: Image sensor for display, 63: Photometric sensor, 66: Shutter, 67 ... Image sensor for photographing, 71: AF sensor Unit 72... AF sensor drive circuit 73. Mirror drive mechanism 75. Shutter charge mechanism 76. Shutter control circuit 80... Body control microcomputer (B.mu.com) 81. Interface circuit 82 82 Image processing controller 85 ... recording media, 87 ... photometric circuit.

Claims (14)

A first focus adjusting unit that includes a distance measuring unit and adjusts the focus of the photographing lens according to a distance measurement result of the distance measuring unit;
A second focus adjustment unit including a manual operation member, and performing focus adjustment of the photographing lens in response to an operation of the manual operation member;
An auxiliary light unit that emits auxiliary light toward the subject when the subject has low brightness during the focus adjustment operation by the first focus adjustment unit or the focus adjustment operation by the second focus adjustment unit;
In a camera equipped with
The auxiliary light means can irradiate different types of first and second auxiliary lights, and irradiates the first auxiliary light during the focus adjustment operation by the first focus adjustment means, and the second auxiliary light. A camera that irradiates the second auxiliary light during a focus adjustment operation by the focus adjustment means.   The first auxiliary light is emitted in conjunction with the distance measuring means, and the second auxiliary light is continuously emitted during a focus adjustment operation by the second focus adjustment means. The camera according to claim 1.   The camera according to claim 2, wherein the second auxiliary light is visible light.   The camera according to claim 2, wherein the first auxiliary light is emitted from a strobe, and the second auxiliary light is emitted from a lamp or a light emitting diode. Ranging means capable of measuring the subject by adjusting the focus of the photographing lens; and auxiliary light means for irradiating auxiliary light toward the subject if the subject has low brightness during focus adjustment. In a camera having a first focus adjustment mode for measuring the distance of the subject using the distance measuring means, and a second focus adjustment mode for adjusting the focus of the photographing lens by manual operation.
The auxiliary light means includes first auxiliary light means for irradiating first auxiliary light, and second auxiliary light means for irradiating second auxiliary light of a different type from the first auxiliary light,
During the focus adjustment operation in the first focus adjustment mode, the first auxiliary light means emits the first auxiliary light, and during the focus adjustment operation in the second focus adjustment mode, the second auxiliary light means. A camera, characterized by irradiating the second auxiliary light.   The first auxiliary light by the first auxiliary light means is irradiated in conjunction with the distance measuring means, and the second auxiliary light by the second auxiliary light means is a focus adjustment operation by the second focus adjustment mode. The camera according to claim 5, wherein the camera is continuously irradiated during the period.   The camera according to claim 6, wherein the second auxiliary light by the second auxiliary light means is visible light.   8. The camera according to claim 7, wherein the first auxiliary light means includes a strobe light emitting unit, and the second auxiliary light means includes a lamp or a light emitting diode.   8. The camera according to claim 7, wherein the first auxiliary light means is constituted by an infrared light emitting diode, and the second auxiliary light means is constituted by a lamp or a light emitting diode. Distance measuring means that can measure the subject by adjusting the focus of the photographic lens, determination means that determines whether or not the subject has low brightness at the time of focus adjustment, and auxiliary light that emits auxiliary light toward the subject In a camera comprising: a light unit; and a control unit that irradiates the auxiliary light unit toward the subject when the determination unit determines that the luminance is low.
The camera has a first focus adjustment mode for measuring the distance of the subject by the distance measuring means, and a second focus adjustment mode for adjusting the focus of the photographing lens by manual operation.
The auxiliary light means includes first auxiliary light means for irradiating first auxiliary light, and second auxiliary light means for irradiating second auxiliary light of a different type from the first auxiliary light. ,
The control means irradiates the first auxiliary light by the first auxiliary light means during the focus adjustment operation in the first focus adjustment mode, and the first auxiliary light during the focus adjustment operation in the second focus adjustment mode. A camera that is controlled to emit second auxiliary light by two auxiliary light means.   The control means irradiates the first auxiliary light by the first auxiliary light means in conjunction with the distance measuring means, and the second auxiliary light by the second auxiliary light means is the second focus adjustment. The camera according to claim 10, wherein irradiation is continuously performed during a focus adjustment operation according to a mode.   The camera according to claim 11, wherein the second auxiliary light by the second auxiliary light means is visible light.   13. The camera according to claim 12, wherein the first auxiliary light means includes a strobe light emitting unit, and the second auxiliary light means includes one of a lamp and a light emitting diode.   13. The camera according to claim 12, wherein the first auxiliary light means is constituted by an infrared light emitting diode, and the second auxiliary light means is constituted by one of a lamp and a light emitting diode.

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